theScore's David P. Woods believes true fantasy football addicts play with individual defensive players (IDPs). Follow the links below to see Justin Boone's rankings for every offensive position.
For IDP noobies, remember that the stat you want to chase is tackles. For the most part, don't waste your time drafting high-profile outside linebackers who make their living rushing the passer, like Clay Matthews.
Look for Patrick Willis' tackle numbers to get a big boost with Navorro Bowman expected to miss half the season as he recovers from a torn ACL. Willis is once again an LB1.
Ryan Shazier and C.J. Mosley are the most likely rookies to make an impact in IDP circles, but neither has upside in the same stratosphere as recent rookie stud Luke Kuechly.
The difference between players 10-19 and 20-29 on this list isn't severe. Make sure you get at least one top-10 linebacker and then maximize your value by waiting to pick up guys at the end of the second and third tiers.
Defensive Backs
Rank
Player
Bye Week
1
Harrison Smith - Min
10
2
Eric Weddle - SD
10
3
Barry Church - Dal
11
4
Jonathan Cyprien - Jax
11
5
Kenny Vaccaro - NO
6
6
Eric Berry - KC
6
7
Bernard Pollard - Ten
9
8
Morgan Burnett - GB
9
9
Earl Thomas - Sea
4
10
Antrel Rolle - NYG
8
11
Reshad Jones - Mia
5
12
T.J. Ward - Den
4
13
Tyvon Branch - Oak
5
14
LaRon Landry - Ind
10
15
Mark Barron - TB
7
16
Roman Harper - Car
12
17
Stevie Brown - NYG
8
18
Donte Whitner - Cle
4
19
Kam Chancellor - Sea
4
20
Antoine Bethea - SF
8
21
William Moore - Atl
9
22
Deone Bucannon - Ari
4
23
Calvin Pryor - NYJ
11
24
Jairus Byrd - NO
6
25
Charles Tillman - Chi
9
26
Tyrann Mathieu - Ari
4
27
D.J. Swearinger - Hou
10
28
Matt Elam - Bal
11
29
DaNorris Searcy - Buf
9
30
Aaron Williams - Buf
9
31
DeAngelo Hall - Was
10
32
Malcolm Jenkins - Phi
7
33
Mike Mitchell - Pit
12
34
Brock Vereen - Chi
9
35
Ryan Clark - Was
10
36
Jason McCourty - Ten
9
37
Charles Woodson - Oak
5
38
Troy Polamalu - Pit
12
39
James Ihedigbo - Det
9
40
Devin McCourty - NE
10
There's no position in fantasy football as volatile year-over-year as defensive back. Unless you're getting one of the top-five players at the position, you're better off waiting until the late rounds of your draft to address the position. You can always stream players week to week.
Barry Church isn't a particularly good football player, but he should see more tackle opportunities than any safety in the league as the result of Sean Lee's injury and the Cowboys' lack of talent on defense.
Kenny Vaccaro was on his way to a big season as a rookie, but his breakout was derailed by an injury. He could top these rankings in a year's time.
When in doubt, draft a safety without much talent ahead of him at linebacker. Bernard Pollard, Morgan Burnett and Antrel Rolle fit the bill.
Defensive Line
Rank
Player
Bye Week
1
J.J. Watt - Hou
10
2
Robert Quinn - Stl
4
3
Chandler Jones - NE
10
4
Cameron Wake - Mia
5
5
Greg Hardy - Car
12
6
DeMarcus Ware - Den
4
7
Calais Campbell - Ari
4
8
Rob Ninkovich - NE
10
9
Mario Williams - Buf
9
10
Carlos Dunlap - Cin
4
11
Cameron Jordan - NO
6
12
Muhammad Wilkerson - NYJ
11
13
Jason Pierre-Paul - NYG
8
14
Ezekiel Ansah - Det
9
15
Michael Johnson - TB
7
16
Charles Johnson - Car
12
17
Jared Allen - Chi
9
18
Lamarr Houston - Chi
9
19
Justin Tuck - Oak
5
20
Geno Atkins - Cin
4
21
Adrian Clayborn - TB
7
22
Michael Bennett - Sea
4
23
Everson Griffen - Min
10
24
Chris Long - Stl
4
25
Sheldon Richardson - NYJ
11
J.J. Watt and Robert Quinn are in a tier of their own. They are deserving of being the first two IDPs off the board in all but the most tackle-heavy leagues.
Ezekiel Ansah remains very raw, but he has the most potential of anyone on this list to join Watt and Quinn in the top tier.
